Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-04
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some people say that in the digital age, theatres and cinemas are no longer important as people can watch all the entertainment they want online. Others argue that theatres and cinemas are still important both economically and culturally.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
All over the world, movies are considered as a good source of entertainment. According to some people, theatres and movies hall are not essential in the digital era because entertainment can be seen online. On contrary, others says that cinemas and theatres are still vital for the financial being and culture of the country. In my opinion, movie halls and theatres are still important for social, economical and cultural reasons.
On the one hand, many people argue that entertainments such as movies, dramas, and tv shows are accessible on internet for free. For these reasons, cinemas as well as theatres are no longer important now because individuals can watch all sorts of entertainment anytime online. Secondly, in order to watch a movie at the cinema, you have to follow a time schedule. While movies can be watch on internet at any time. For instance, youtube is the most popular website where people can watch tv shows, movies at any time.
On the other hand, some individuals thinks that cinemas and theatres are still vital both financially and culturally. It is because cinemas are generating important revenue for the country. Many people are employed in the cinemas for earning money. Furthermore, cinemas plays national movies which helps preserving the culture of the country. Which is vital for any country. For example, government in Pakistan is increasing the number of cinemas and theatres, in order to boost the economy of the country.
In conclusion, although entertainment is available online but cinemas and theatres are still necessary for financial well being and culture of the country. In my opinion, besides the monetary and cinemas and theatres are good source of social gatherings of families and friends.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the convenience of online streaming versus the economic and cultural benefits of physical venues. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument regarding economic revenue is mentioned but lacks specific detail or depth. The conclusion introduces a new point about 'social gatherings' which was not previously developed in the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, ensure that each main idea is fully supported with more detailed explanations or concrete examples throughout the body paragraphs.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'For instance', which help guide the reader. However, there are instances where the flow is slightly mechanical or awkward, such as the sentence fragment 'Which is vital for any country' and the abrupt transition in the conclusion. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical progression within paragraphs could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences are connected more fluidly would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'revenue', 'economical', and 'preserving'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'financial being' instead of 'financial well-being' and 'movies hall' instead of 'movie halls'. Some phrasing is repetitive, and the range is somewhat limited. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and expanding the range of vocabulary related to the topic of entertainment and economics.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('others says', 'cinemas plays', 'individuals thinks') and incorrect verb forms ('movies can be watch'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are sentence fragments that disrupt the grammatical integrity of the text. While the meaning is usually clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tense usage will significantly improve the accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.